PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 171, 23 August 1909, Page 2

PERSONAL.

The death occurred on Thursday afternoon of a well-known Opaki settler. Mr.! James Welch, the cause of death being heart trouble. Deceased was 49 years of age, and highly respected among residents of the district. ' ' News has been received 6f the death at Pretoria of Mr. G. A. Rees, youngest son of Mr. W. D. Rees, of Gisborne. Deceased (states a Press Association telegram) was in partnership in a legal practice in Pretoria 'with Mr. Jou'oert, grand nephew of the late General Joubert.

A Press wire from Wakapuaka states that the funeral of the late Mr. W. Gill, at St. John's cemetery, Wakapuaka, yesterday afternoon was the largest on record. Deceased, who was a prominent member of the Foresters' Lodge and many local bodies, was highly respected. He had resided practically his lifetime in the district.

It has been settled by the authorities that Mr. Telfer Campbell is to succeed Mr. Hamilton Hunter, C.M.G., as Ag.'nt and Consul at Tonga fo r the Britislfcovenunent. The change is to take place about 3rd .September next, when Mr. Campbell is expected to arrive from Fiji in the Atua. Mr. Hunter goes from Tonga to Fiji, and thraee to London, via the Canadian-Pacific route. He has been in Tonga nearly nine years, having relieved the late -Mr. R. B. Leefe in 1901.

News was received on Thursday of the death at Waihaka, on the shores of Uikc Taupo, of Hitiri te Paerata, a noted old Maori chief of the Ngatiraukawn tribe. Hitiri was one of the heroes of the battle of Orakau, tin. final engagement in the Waikato war, ISG4. His father, uncle, mid brother were killed in the fight, and his sister, Ahuinai (who died at Taupo last year), was severely wounded, llittri escaped with the remnant of his hapu, after a stubborn resistance lasting three days, in which over half the garrison of the Orakau pa were killed.

On Saturday evening a very larje gathering of local railway men farewe'led Mr. R. Shaw, locomotive foreman, who leaves to-morrow morning on Imnsfer to Palnterston. Opportunity was taken to welcome his successor, Mr. .Maxwell. Mr. Morison presided. Mr. Shaw was presented with a travellingbag, and a silver teapot for Mrs. Shaw. He was also made the recipient of a special presentation of a handsome marble clock from the cleaners, a gift which to railway men will speak more eloquently than words. Several speakers referred to Mr. Shaw's good qualities, stating that he had earned the implicit confidence of the whole staff. In his reply, Mr. Shaw regretted having to leave New (Plymouth. He said the cleaners' presentation was particulate pleasing to him. Songs and musica'l items were given, and a pleasant evening was spent.